– 1 Nephi 1 – August 2007 –
I had a sweet spiritual experience on August 13, 2007 as I began my next reading of the Book of Mormon. I have read 1 Nephi 1 so many times, and yet the Lord opened my understanding to some new and wonderful insights as I pondered this great chapter yet again. How wonderful that the very first chapter of the Book of Mormon talks about a man who saw a vision that changed his life. How encouraging this must have been for Joseph Smith. Because of his vision, people sought Lehi’s life. Because of Joseph’s vision, people hounded him for his entire life. He was rejected, renounced, reviled, and ultimately lost his life as he stayed true to the council he received in that First Vision. It must have served as a great testimony to Joseph that Lehi and others can and did receive visions, that they received revelation, that they were inspired of God, all things that the religionists of Joseph’s day denied. The tender mercies of the Lord preserved and spared Lehi, just as they did Joseph Smith
Both visions included seeing God and Jesus. Lehi read a book and was filled with the spirit. Joseph eventually translated a book which has filled countless people with the spirit. Lehi was delighted and inspired even though the vision showed destruction. Likewise Joseph’s vision renounced the veracity of all the churches of the day, but he was nevertheless filled with hope and joy at the truths he was told. As an additional witness of Lehi’s greatness, he hastened to teach his children of the eternal truths he had learned (verse 16). Joseph immediately shared his great knowledge obtained in the vision with his parents and siblings.
The Lord always stands ready to bless us as we study His word. We seek His guidance through prayer, and He answers us with scriptural insight.
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